While 'Divergent' features a strong female lead, Tris earns her capabilities through struggle and development, rather than identity handouts. The story doesn’t treat diverse characters as immune to consequence. Some social commentary exists, but the focus is more on coming-of-age and faction dynamics than identity politics; narrative isn’t totally sacrificed for ideology.

Traditional values like family and courage are themes, but the book does challenge fixed gender roles by making the heroine the tough, action-oriented character. It doesn’t go out of its way to undercut masculinity, but you could say it bends some traditional expectations. No overt historical or religious revisionism is present.

The faction system promotes some ideological sorting, but there’s genuine debate and conflict among characters. Alternative perspectives aren't just caricatured, though traditionalist archetypes aren’t positioned as heroes. There’s more ideological variety than what we see in the wokest fare.